THE NALANDA UNIVERSITY ACT, 2010 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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SECTIONS 

1.  Short title and commencement. 
2.  Declaration of Nalanda University as an institution of national importance. 
3.  Definitions. 
4.  Establishment and incorporation of Nalanda University. 
5.  Effect of establishment of University. 
6.  Jurisdiction. 
7.  Governing Board. 
8.  Powers and functions of Governing Board. 
9.  Objectives of University. 
10.  Powers of University. 
11.  University open to all persons. 
12.  Visitor. 
13.  Officers of University. 
14.  The Chancellor. 
15.  The Vice-Chancellor. 
16.  The Registrar. 
17.  The Finance Officer. 
18.  The Controller of Examinations. 
19.  The Librarian. 
20.  Other officers. 
21.  Privileges and immunities of academic staff, etc. 
22.  Authorities of the University. 
23.  The Academic Council. 
24.  The School of Studies. 
25.  The Finance Committee. 
26.  Other authorities. 
27.  Statutes. 
28.  Statutes how made. 
29.  Ordinances. 
30.  Regulations. 
31.  Annual report. 
32.  Annual accounts, etc. 
33.  Conditions of service of employees. 
34.  Procedure of appeal and arbitration in disciplinary cases against students. 
35.  Right to appeal. 
36.  Provident and pension funds. 
37.  Disputes as to the constitution of authorities and bodies. 
38.  Filling of casual vacancies. 
39.  Proceedings of authorities or bodies not invalidated by vacancies. 
40.  Protection of action taken in good faith. 
41.  Power to remove difficulties. 
42.  Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations to be published in the Official Gazette and to be laid before 

Parliament. 

43.  Transitional provisions. 
44.  Repeal of University of Nalanda Act. 

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THE NALANDA UNIVERSITY ACT, 2010 

ACT NO. 39 OF 2010 

[21st September, 2010.] 

An  Act  to  implement  the  decisions  arrived  at  the  Second  East  Asia  Summit  held  on  the  15th 
January, 2007, at Philippines and subsequently at the Fourth East Asia Summit held on the 
25th October, 2009, at Thailand for the establishment of the Nalanda University in the State 
of Bihar as an international institution for pursuit of intellectual, philosophical, historical and 
spiritual studies and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

WHEREAS, the Second East Asia Summit held on the15th January, 2007 in the city of Cebu, Republic 
of Philippines, agreed to strengthen regional educational co-operation by tapping the East Asia Region’s 
centres  of  excellence in education and for  the revival  of the  Nalanda  University  located  in  the  State  of 
Bihar to improve regional understanding and the appreciation of one another’s heritage and history; 

AND WHEREAS, the Fourth East Asia Summit held on the 25th October, 2009 in Hua Hin, Thailand, 
supported the establishment of the Nalanda University and encouraged the networking and collaboration 
between the proposed Nalanda University and existing centres of excellence in the East Asia Summit so 
as to participating countries to build a community of learning where students, scholars, researchers and 
academicians can work together symbolising the spirituality that unites all mankind; 

AND WHEREAS, it is considered expedient to make provision for implementing the decisions arrived 
at in the aforesaid East Asia Summits for establishment of the Nalanda University in the State of Bihar 
and declare it to be an institution of national importance. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-first Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Nalanda University Act, 2010. 
(2)  It  shall  come  into  force  on  such  date1  as  the  Central  Government  may,  by  notification  in  the 

Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act. 

2.  Declaration  of  Nalanda  University  as  an  institution  of  national  importance.—Whereas  the 
objects  of  the  institution  known  as  the  Nalanda  University  are  such  as  to  make  the  institution  one  of 
national  importance,  it  is  hereby  declared  that  the  institution  known  as  the  Nalanda  University  is  an 
institution of national importance. 

3. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “Academic Council” means the Academic Council of the University; 

(b)  “academic  staff”  means  such  categories  of  staff  as  are  designated  as  academic  staff  by  the 

Statutes; 

(c) “Centre” means a centre established or maintained by the University in any place in India or 
in East Asia region for the purposes of coordinating and supervising the work of centres in such place 
or  region and for  performing  such  functions  as  may  be  conferred on  such  centre  by  the  Governing 
Board; 

(d) “East Asia region” means the region comprising the territories of the Member States of the 

East Asia Summit; 

(e)  “employee”  means  any  person  appointed  by  the  University  and  includes  teachers  and  other 

staff of the University; 

(f) “Faculty” means a Faculty of the University; 

(g) “Finance Officer” means the Finance Officer of the University appointed under section 17; 

1.  25th  November,  2010,  vide  notification  No.  S.O.  2809(E),  dated  18th  November,  2010,  see  Gazette  of  India, 

Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii). 

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(h) “Governing Board” means the Governing Board of the University constituted under section 7; 

(i)  “Hall”  means  a  unit  of  residence,  by  whatever  name  called,  for  students  of  the  University 

provided, maintained or recognised by it; 

(j) “Member States” means the Member States of the East Asia Summit; 

(k) “Nalanda Mentor Group” means the group of persons constituted by the communication dated 
the  28th  June,  2007  of  the  Government  of  India  in  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs,  inter  alia,  to 
examine  the  framework  and  structure  of  International  co-operation  and  partnership  which  would 
govern the establishment of the University; 

(l) “Ordinances” means the Ordinances of the University; 

(m) “prescribed” means prescribed by Statutes, Ordinances or by Regulations; 

(n) “recognised institution” means an institution of higher learning maintained or recognised by, 

or associated with, the University; 

(o) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University appointed under section 16; 

(p) “Regulations” means the Regulations of the University; 

(q) “School” means a school of studies of the University; 

(r) “Statutes” means the Statutes of the University; 

(s)  “teacher”  means  professor,  associate  professor,  assistant  professor  and  research  staff  of  the 
University  appointed  or  recognised  by  the  University  for  imparting  instructions  or  conducting 
research in the University or for giving guidance to students for pursuing any course of study of the 
University and are designated as teachers by the Statutes; 

(t) “University” means the Nalanda University established and incorporated under section 4. 

4. Establishment and incorporation of Nalanda University.—(1) The University of Nalanda in the 
State of Bihar, established under the University of Nalanda Act, 2007 (Bihar Act 18 of 2007), shall be 
established as a body corporate under this Act by the name of “Nalanda University”. 

(2)  The  first  Visitor,  the  first  Chancellor,  the  first  Vice-Chancellor,  the  first  members  of  the 
Governing Board and the Academic Council, and all persons who may hereafter become such officers or 
members, so long as they continue to hold such office or membership, shall constitute the University. 

(3) The University shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall sue and be sued by 

the said name. 

(4) The Headquarters of the University shall be in the district of Nalanda in the State of Bihar. 

(5) The University may establish or maintain centres at such other places in India as it may deem fit: 

Provided that the University may, with the approval of the Governing Board, establish study centres 

outside India. 

5. Effect of establishment of University.—On and from the date of commencement of this Act,— 

(a) any reference to the University of Nalanda in any contract or other instrument shall be deemed 

as a reference to the University; 

(b) all property, movable and immovable, of or belonging to the University of Nalanda shall vest 

in the University; 

(c) all rights and liabilities of the University of Nalanda shall be transferred to, and be the rights 

and liabilities of, the University; 

(d) every person employed by the University of Nalanda immediately before the commencement 
of  this  Act  shall  hold  his  office  or  service  in  the  University  by  the  same  tenure,  at  the  same 
remuneration and upon the same terms and conditions and with the same rights and privileges as to 
pension, leave, gratuity, provident fund and other matters as he would have held the same if this Act 

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had not been enacted, and shall continue to do so unless and until his employment is terminated or 
until such tenure, remuneration and terms and conditions are duly altered by the Statutes: 

Provided that if the alteration so made is not acceptable to such employee, his employment may 
be terminated by the University in accordance with the term of the contract with the employee or, if 
no  provision  is  made  therein  in  this  behalf,  on  payment  to  him  by  the  University  of  compensation 
equivalent  to  three  months’  remuneration  in  case  of  permanent  employees  and  one  month’s 
remuneration in the case of other employees: 

Provided further that every person employed before the commencement of this Act, pending the 
execution of a contract under section 33, shall be deemed to have been appointed in accordance with 
the provisions of a contract consistent with the provisions of this Act and the Statutes: 

Provided  also  that  any  reference,  by  whatever  form  of  words,  to  the  Visitor,  Chancellor  or           

Vice-Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Nalanda  in  any  law  for  the  time  being  in  force,  or  in  any 
instrument or other document, shall be construed as a reference respectively to the Visitor, Chancellor 
or Vice-Chancellor of the University; 

(e) the Visitor of the University of Nalanda, appointed under the provisions of the University of 
Nalanda Act, 2007 (Bihar Act 18 of 2007) shall be deemed to have been appointed to be the nominee 
of the Visitor and such nominee be also the first Visitor under this Act for a period of five years from 
the date of commencement of this Act; 

(f) the Chancellor of the University of Nalanda, appointed under the provisions of the University 
of  Nalanda  Act,  2007  (Bihar  Act  18  of  2007)  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  appointed  as  the 
Chancellor under section 14 of this Act, and shall hold office for a period of three years from the date 
of commencement of this Act; 

(g)  the  Vice-Chancellor  of  the  University  of  Nalanda,  appointed  under  the  provisions  of  the 
University of Nalanda Act, 2007 (Bihar Act 18 of 2007) shall be deemed to have been appointed as 
the first Vice-Chancellor under this Act, and shall hold office for a period of five years from the date 
of commencement of this Act; and 

(h) all Colleges, Institutions, Faculties and Departments affiliated to, or admitted to the privileges 
of, or maintained by, the University of Nalanda shall stand affiliated to, or admitted to the privilege 
of, or maintained by, the University. 

6.  Jurisdiction.—The  jurisdiction  of  the  University  shall  extend  to  whole  of  India  and  to  centres 

established within or outside India. 

7.  Governing  Board.—(1)  There  shall  be  a  Governing  Board  of  the  University  consisting  of  the 

following persons as its members, namely: — 

(a) the Chancellor; 

(b) the Vice-Chancellor; 

(c) five members from amongst the Member States which provide maximum financial assistance 

during a period of three years to be nominated by the Member States; 

(d)  one  member,  not  below  the  rank  of  Secretary  in  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs,  to  be 

nominated by the Central Government; 

(e)  two  members,  representing  the  State  Government  of  Bihar,  to  be  nominated  by  the  State 

Government; 

(f) one member not below the rank of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Human Resource 

Development, to be nominated by the Central Government; 

(g) three members from amongst the persons being renowned academician or educationist, to be 

nominated by the Central Government. 

(2) Each member of the Governing Board referred to in clauses (c) to (g) of sub-section (1), shall hold 

office for a fixed term of three years. 

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(3) The Chancellor shall be the Chairperson of the Governing Board. 

(4) The member, being the Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, nominated under clause (d) 

of sub-section (1), shall be the Member-Secretary of the Governing Board. 

(5)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the  Statutes  and  the  Ordinances  made  thereunder,  the 

Governing Board may regulate its own procedure (including quorum) for the conduct of its meetings. 

8. Powers and functions of Governing Board.—(1) The Governing Board shall be responsible for 

all the policies and directions of the University and management of its affairs. 

(2) The Governing Board shall exercise such powers as may be prescribed by the Statutes: 

Provided that the Nalanda Mentor Group shall exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the 
Governing Board for a period of one year or till such time the members referred to in clauses (c) to (g) of 
sub-section (1) of section 7 are nominated, whichever is earlier. 

9. Objectives of University.—(1) The objectives of the University shall be— 

(a) to impart education and to enable research towards capacity building of the Member States in 
the  domain  of  ancient  science  (in  particular,  practised  in  the  Nalanda  several  centuries  ago), 
philosophy, language, history and other areas of higher learning vital for improving the quality of life; 

(b)  to  contribute  to  the  promotion  of  regional  peace  and  vision  by  bringing  together  the  future 
leaders of the East Asia, who by relating to their past history can enhance their understanding of each 
others’ perspectives and to share that understanding globally; 

(c)  to  harmonise  the  academic  standards  and  accreditation  norms  in  teaching,  research  and 

curriculum that are acceptable to all Member States; 

(d) to create a unique partnership between the scholars and interested persons from the Member 

States; 

(e)  to  understand  Buddha’s  teachings  in  the  contemporary  context  without  excluding  any  other 

thoughts and practices from any other parts of the world; 

(f) to enhance research for greater interaction between Asian countries, particularly between East 
Asia, bound by strong historical commonalities in areas like trade, science, mathematics, astronomy, 
religion, philosophy and cross-cultural current; 

(g) to foster in the students and scholars the spirit of accommodation, understanding and thus to 

train them to become exemplary citizens of democratic societies; 

(h) to contribute to the improvement of the educational system of the Member States in view of 

the teaching in Nalanda several centuries ago; 

(i) to provide education and training in various arts, crafts and skills of the Member States, raising 

their quality and improving their availability to the people. 

(2) The University shall be non-profit public-private partnership, which shall seek support from each 
of the Member States and from other sources but shall be autonomous and accountable to the Governing 
Board. 

10. Powers of University.—The University shall have the following powers, namely:— 

(i) to make provision for providing, upgrading and promoting holistic and inclusive education and 
training  and  research  in  such  education  as  set  out  in  the  objects,  and  to  create  an  enabling  and 
conducive  environment  for  the  pursuit  of  such  education  in  close  co-operation  with  other  experts, 
scholars and interested persons in India, Asian countries and other countries; 

(ii)  to  set  up  a  consortium  of  international  partners  and  friendly  countries in  furtherance  of the 

objects of the University; 

(iii)  to  generate  and  maintain  resources  through  consultancy  services,  continuing  education 

programmes, national and international collaborations and intellectual property rights; 

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(iv) to provide for instruction in such branches of learning as the University may,  from time to 
time, determine and to make provisions for research and for the advancement and dissemination of 
knowledge; 

(v) to establish such special centres and specialised laboratories and such other units for research 

and instruction as are necessary for the furtherance of its objects; 

(vi)  to  plan  and  prescribe  courses  of  study  for  degrees,  diplomas,  certificates  or  for  any  other 

purpose; 

(vii)  to  hold  examinations  and  grant  diplomas  or  certificates  to,  and  confer  degrees  and  other 
academic distinctions on, persons who have pursued a course of study or conducted research, in the 
manner laid down by the Statutes and Ordinances; 

(viii) to confer honorary degrees or other academic distinctions in the manner prescribed by the 

Statutes; 

(ix) to institute  Professorships,  Readerships  and  Lecturerships  and  other  teaching  and academic 
positions,  required  by  the  University  and  to  appoint  persons  to  such  Chairs,  Professorships, 
Readerships and Lecturerships and other teaching and academic positions; 

(x)  to  appoint  visiting  professors,  Emeritus  professors,  consultants,  scholars  and  such  other 

persons who may contribute to the advancement of the objects of the University; 

(xi) to recognise persons as professors, associate professors, or assistant professors or otherwise 

as teachers of the University; 

(xii) to create administrative and other posts as the University may deem necessary from time to 

time and to make appointments thereto; 

(xiii)  to  lay  down  conditions  of  service  of  all  categories  of  employees,  including  their  code  of 

conduct; 

(xiv) to establish and maintain centres in India or outside India, as may be determined from time 

to time; 

(xv)  to  admit  to  its  privileges  institutions  situated  within  its  jurisdiction  as  the  University 
institutions and to withdraw all or any of those privileges in accordance with such conditions as may 
be prescribed by the Statutes; 

(xvi) to co-operate or collaborate or associate with any other University or authority or institution 
of higher learning or any other public or private body, having in view the promotion of purposes and 
objects similar to those of the University, in such manner as may be prescribed and for such purposes 
as may be determined or agreed upon by the University; 

(xvii)  to  determine  standards  of  admissions,  including  examination,  evaluation  or  any  other 
method of testing, to the University, and the institutions maintained by or admitted to the privileges of 
the University; 

(xviii) to demand and receive payment of fees and other charges as may be prescribed; 

(xix) to establish Halls and to recognise, guide, supervise and control Halls not maintained by the 

University and other accommodation for students, and to withdraw any such recognition; 

(xx) to make arrangements for promoting health and general welfare of students and employees of 

the University; 

(xxi) to regulate and enforce discipline among the students and the employees, and to take such 

disciplinary measures in this regard as may be deemed by the University to be necessary; 

(xxii) to institute and award Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes; 

(xxiii)  to  receive  benefactions,  donations  and  gifts  in  accordance  with  the  Ordinances  and  to 
acquire,  hold,  manage  and  dispose  of  any  property,  movable  or  immovable,  including  trust  and 

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endowment  properties,  for  the  purposes  or  objects  of  the  University  and  to  invest  funds  in  such 
manner as it deems fit; 

(xxiv) to borrow, with the approval of the Governing Board; 

(xxv)  to  recognise  for  any  purpose,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  any  institution  or  members  or 
students  thereof  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  may,  from  time  to  time,  be  prescribed  and  to 
withdraw such recognition; 

(xxvi) to make provision for research and advisory services and for that purpose to enter into such 

arrangements with other institutions or bodies as it may deem necessary; 

(xxvii) to provide for the printing, reproduction and publication or research and other work which 

may be required by the University; 

(xxviii)  to  exercise  such  other  powers  accorded  to  it  and  to  do  all  such  other  acts  as  may  be 

necessary, incidental or conducive to the promotion of all or any of the objects of the University. 

11.  University  open  to  all  persons.—The  University  shall  be  open  to  all  persons  irrespective  of 

gender, caste, creed, disability, ethnicity or socio-economic background. 

12. Visitor.—(1) The President of India shall be the Visitor of the University: 

Provided that the President may, by order, nominate any person to be the Visitor and such person so 
nominated shall hold office for such term, not exceeding five years as may be specified in the order and 
the person so nominated shall exercise the powers and discharge duties of the Visitor. 

(2) The Visitor may, from time to time, appoint one or more persons to review the work and progress 
of the University and to submit a report thereon; and upon receipt of that report, the Visitor may, after 
obtaining the views of the Governing Board thereon through the Vice-Chancellor, take such action and 
issue such directions as he considers necessary in respect of any of the matters dealt with in the report and 
the University shall be bound to comply with such directions. 

(3) The Visitor shall have the right to cause an inspection to be made, by such person or persons as he 
may direct, of the University, its buildings, libraries, laboratories and equipments, and of any institution 
or centre maintained by the University or admitted to its privileges, and also of the examinations, teaching 
and other work conducted or done by the University and to cause an inquiry to be made in respect of any 
matter connected with the University. 

(4) The Visitor shall, in every case give notice to the University of his intention to cause an inspection 
or inquiry to be made, and the University shall be entitled to appoint a representative within thirty days or 
such other period as the Visitor may determine who shall have the right to be present and be heard at such 
inspection or inquiry. 

(5)  The  Visitor  may  address  the  Vice-Chancellor  with  reference  to  the  result  of  inspection  and 
inquiry, and the Vice-Chancellor shall communicate to the Governing Board the views of the Visitor with 
such advice as the Visitor may offer upon the action to be taken thereon. 

(6) The Governing Board shall communicate through the Vice-Chancellor to the Visitor, such action, 

if any, as it proposes to take or has been taken upon the result of such inspection or inquiry. 

(7) Where the Governing Board does not, within a reasonable time, take action to the satisfaction of 
the Visitor, he may, after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by the Governing 
Board, issue such directions as he may think fit and the Governing Board shall be bound to comply with 
such directions. 

(8) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the Visitor may, by order in writing, 
annul  any  proceeding  of  the  University  which  is  not  in  conformity  with  this  Act,  the  Statutes,  the 
Ordinances or the Regulations. 

(9) The Visitor shall have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 

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13. Officers of University.—The following shall be the officers of the University:— 

(1) the Chancellor; 

(2) the Vice-Chancellor; 

(3) the Registrars; 

(4) the Finance Officer; and 

(5) such other officers as may be declared by the Statutes to be the officers of the University. 

14. The Chancellor.—(1) The Chancellor shall be appointed by the Visitor for such term and in such 

manner as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 

(2) The Chancellor shall, by virtue of his office, be the head of the University and shall, if present, 
preside at the Convocations of the University held for conferring degrees and meetings of the Governing 
Board. 

15.  The  Vice-Chancellor.—(1)  The  Vice-Chancellor  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Visitor  in  such 
manner, for such term and on such emoluments and other conditions of service as may be prescribed by 
the Statutes. 

(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal academic and executive officer of the University, and 
shall exercise supervision and control over the affairs of the University and give effect to the decisions of 
all the authorities of the University. 

(3) The Vice-Chancellor may, if he is of the opinion that immediate action is necessary on any matter, 
exercise any power conferred on any authority of the University by or under this Act and shall report  to 
such authority the action taken by him on such matter: 

Provided  that  if  the  authority  concerned  is  of  the  opinion  that  such  action  ought  not  to  have  been 

taken, it may refer the matter to the Visitor whose decision thereon shall be final: 

Provided further that any person in the service of the University who is aggrieved by any action taken 
by the Vice-Chancellor under this sub-section shall have the right to represent against such action to the 
Governing  Board  within  ninety  days  from  the  date  on  which  such  action  is  communicated  to  him  and 
thereupon the Governing Board may confirm, modify or reverse the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor. 

(4) The Vice-Chancellor, if he is of the opinion that a decision of any authority is beyond the powers 
of the authority conferred by the provisions of this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances or that any decision 
taken is not in the interest of the University, may ask the authority concerned to review its decision within 
sixty days of such decision and if the authority refuses to review its decision either in whole or in part or 
no decision is taken by it within the said period of sixty days, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor 
whose decision thereon shall be final: 

Provided  that  the  decision  of  the  authority  concerned  shall  remain  suspended  during  the  period  of 

review of such decision by the authority or the Visitor, as the case may be, under this sub-section. 

(5) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be 

prescribed by the Statutes and the Ordinances. 

16.  The  Registrar.—(1)  The  Registrar  shall  be  appointed  in  such  manner  and  on  such  terms  and 

conditions of service as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 

(2) The Registrar shall have the power to enter into, and sign agreements and authenticate records on 

behalf of the University. 

(3) The Registrar shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be prescribed by the 

Statutes. 

17. The Finance Officer.—The Finance Officer shall be appointed in such manner and on such terms 
and conditions of service and shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be prescribed 
by the Statutes. 

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18. The Controller of Examinations.—The Controller of Examinations shall be appointed in such 
manner  and  on  such  terms  and  conditions  of  service  and  shall  exercise  such  powers  and  perform  such 
duties, as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 

19.  The  Librarian.—The  Librarian  shall  be  appointed  in  such  manner  and  on  such  terms  and 
conditions of service, and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties, as may be prescribed by 
the Statutes. 

20.  Other  officers.—The  manner  of  appointment,  emoluments,  powers  and  duties  of  the  other 

officers of the University shall be prescribed by the Statutes. 

21.  Privileges  and  immunities  of  academic  staff,  etc.—The  members  of  the  academic  staff  and, 
where applicable, their dependents or members of the family, shall enjoy such privileges and immunities 
as  the  Central  Government  may,  after  entering  into  an  agreement  with  the  University,  notify  under    
section 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947 (46 of 1947). 

22. Authorities of the University.—The following shall be the authorities of the University:— 

(1) the Governing Board; 

(2) the Academic Council; 

(3) the Boards of Schools of Studies; 

(4) the Finance Committee; and 

(5)  such  other  authorities  as  may  be  declared  by  the  Statutes  to  be  the  authorities  of  the 

University. 

23. The Academic Council.—(1) The Academic Council shall be the principal academic body of the 
University  and  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  the  Statutes  and  the  Ordinances,  have  the 
control  and  general  regulation  of,  and  be  responsible  for,  the  maintenance  of  standards  of  learning, 
education,  instruction,  evaluation  and  examination  within  the  University  and  shall  exercise  such  other 
powers and perform such other functions as may be conferred or imposed upon it by the Statutes. 

(2)  The  constitution  of  the  Academic  Council  and  the  term  of  office  of  its  members  shall  be 

prescribed by the Statutes. 

24. The School of Studies.—(1) There shall be such number of Schools of Studies as the University 

may determine from time to time. 

(2)  Without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  provision  contained  in  sub-section  (1),  the 

University shall have the following Schools, namely:— 

(i) Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions; 

(ii) Historical Studies; 

(iii) International Relations and Peace Studies; 

(iv) Business Management in relation to Public Policy and Development Studies; 

(v) Languages and Literature; 

(vi) Ecology and Environment Studies; 

(vii) any other school as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 

(3) Every School of Studies shall have a Board comprising of such members as may be prescribed by 

the Statutes. 

(4) The powers and functions of the Boards of School of Studies shall be prescribed by the Statutes. 

25.  The  Finance  Committee.—The  constitution,  powers  and  functions  of  the  Finance  Committee 

shall be prescribed by the Statutes. 

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26. Other authorities.—The constitution, powers and functions of the other authorities which may 

be declared by the Statutes to be authorities of the University shall be prescribed by the Statutes. 

27.  Statutes.—Subject  to the  provisions  of  this  Act, the  Statutes  may  provide  for  all  or  any  of  the 

following matters, namely:— 

(a) the manner of appointment of the Chancellor; 

(b)  the  manner  of  appointment  of  the  Vice-Chancellor,  the  term  of  his  appointment,  the 
emoluments and other conditions of his service and the powers and functions that may be exercised 
and performed by him; 

(c)  the  manner  of  appointment  of  the  Registrar,  the  Finance  Officer,  the  Controller  of 
Examinations  and  other  officers  and  terms  and  conditions  of  their  service  and  the  powers  and 
functions that may be exercised and performed by such officers; 

(d) the other authorities of the University, the terms of office of the members of such authorities 

and the powers and functions that may be exercised and performed by such authorities; 

(e)  the  appointment  of  teachers  and  other  employees  of  the  University,  their  emoluments  and 

other conditions of service: 

Provided  that  the  terms  and  conditions  of  teachers  and  employees  shall  not  be  varied  to  their 

disadvantage; 

(f) the constitution of a pension or provident fund and the establishment of an insurance scheme 

for the benefit of the employees of the University; 

(g) the principles governing the seniority of service of the employees of the University; 

(h) the procedure for regulating the work of the Tribunal of Arbitration; 

(i)  the  procedure  for  the  settlement  of  disputes  between  the  employees  or  students  of  the 

University, and the University; 

(j) the co-ordination and determination of standards in the University; 

(k) Schools of Studies, members of its Board and the power and functions of such Board; 

(l) all other matters which by this Act are to be, or may be, provided by the Statutes. 

28. Statutes how made.—(1) The first Statutes shall be made by the Governing Board, with the prior 

approval of the Visitor, within six months of the commencement of this Act, for operation of University. 

(2) The Governing Board may, from time to time, make new or additional Statutes or may amend or 

repeal the Statutes referred to in sub-section (1): 

Provided that the Governing Board shall not make, amend or repeal any Statute affecting the status, 
powers or constitution of any authority of the University until such authority has been given a reasonable 
opportunity to express its opinion in writing on the proposed changes and any opinion so expressed has 
been considered by the Governing Board. 

(3) Every new Statute or addition to the Statutes or any amendment or repeal thereof shall require the 
assent  of  the  Visitor,  who  may  assent  thereto  or  withhold  assent  or  remit  to  the  Governing  Board  for 
reconsideration in the light of the observations, if any, made by him. 

(4) A new Statute or a Statute amending or repealing an existing Statute shall not be valid unless it 

has been assented to by the Visitor. 

(5)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  foregoing  sub-sections,  the  Visitor  may  direct  the 
University  to  make  provisions  in  the  Statutes  in  respect  of  any  matter  specified  by  him  and  if  the 
Governing Board is unable to implement such a direction within sixty days of its receipt, the Visitor may, 
after considering the reasons, if any, communicated by the Governing Board for its inability to comply 
with such directions, make or amend the Statutes suitably. 

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29.  Ordinances.—(1)  Subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  the  Statutes,  the  Ordinances  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) the admission of students, the courses of study and fees therefor, the qualifications pertaining 
to  degrees,  diplomas,  certificates  and  other  courses,  the  conditions  for  the  grant  of  fellowships, 
awards and the like; 

(b) the conduct of examinations, including the terms and conditions and manner of appointment 

of examiners; 

(c)  any  other  matter  which  by  this  Act  or  the  Statutes  is  to  be,  or  may  be,  provided for  by  the 

Ordinances. 

(2)  The  first  Ordinances  shall  be  made  by  the  Vice-Chancellor  with  the  previous  approval  of  the 
Governing Board and the Ordinances so made may be amended, repealed or added to at any time by the 
Governing Board, in the manner prescribed by the Statutes. 

30. Regulations.—The authorities of the University may make regulations consistent with this Act, 
the Statutes and the Ordinances for the conduct of their own business and that of the committees, if any, 
appointed  by  them  and  not  provided  for  by  this  Act,  the  Statutes  or  the  Ordinances,  in  the  manner 
prescribed by the Statutes. 

31. Annual report.—(1) The annual report of the University shall be prepared under the directions of 
the Governing Board which shall include, among other matters, the steps taken by the University towards 
the fulfilment of its objectives. 

(2) The annual report so prepared shall be submitted to the Visitor on or before such date as may be 

prescribed by the Statutes. 

(3)  A  copy  of  the  annual  report  so  prepared  shall  also  be  submitted  to  the  Member  States  and 

exhibited on the website of the University. 

32. Annual accounts, etc.—(1) The annual accounts and the balance sheet of the University shall be 
prepared under the directions of the Governing Board and shall, once at least every year, and at intervals 
of not more than fifteen months, be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(2) A copy of the accounts together with the audit report shall be submitted to the Visitor along with 

the observations, if any, of the Governing Board. 

(3)  Any  observations  made  by  the  Visitor  on  the  annual  accounts  shall  be  brought  to  notice  of  the 
Governing Board and the views of the Governing Board, if any, on such observations shall be submitted 
to the Visitor. 

(4) A copy of the annual report and annual accounts together with the audit report, as submitted to the 
Visitor,  shall  also  be  submitted  to  the  Central  Government,  which  shall,  as  soon  as  may  be,  cause  the 
same to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament. 

(5) The audited annual accounts, after having been laid before both the Houses of Parliament, shall be 

published in the Gazette of India. 

(6) A copy of the audited annual accounts shall also be submitted to the Member States. 

33. Conditions of service of employees.—(1) Every employee of the University shall be appointed 
under a written contract, which shall be lodged with the University and a copy of which shall be furnished 
to the employee concerned. 

(2)  Any  dispute  arising  out  of  the  contract  between  the  University  and  any  employee  shall,  at  the 
request of the employee, be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration consisting of one member appointed by 
the Governing Board, one member nominated by the employee concerned and an umpire appointed by the 
Visitor. 

(3) The decision of the Tribunal shall be final, and no suit shall lie in any civil court in respect of the 

matters decided by the Tribunal. 

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(4) Every request made by an employee under sub-section (2), shall be deemed to be a submission to 
arbitration upon the terms of this section within the meaning of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 
(26 of 1996). 

(5) The procedure for regulating the work of the Tribunal shall be prescribed by the Statutes. 

34. Procedure of appeal and arbitration in disciplinary cases against students.—(1) Any student 
or candidate for an examination whose name has been removed from the rolls of the University by the 
orders or resolution of the Vice-Chancellor, Disciplinary Committee or Examination Committee, as the 
case may be, and who has been debarred from appearing at the examinations of the University for more 
than one year, may, within ten days of the date of receipt of such orders or copy of such resolution by 
him,  appeal  to  the  Governing  Board  and  the  Governing  Board  may  confirm,  modify  or  reverse  the 
decision of the Vice-Chancellor or the Committee, as the case may be. 

(2) Any dispute arising out of any disciplinary action taken by the University against a student shall, 

at  the  request  of  such  student,  be  referred  to  a  Tribunal  of  Arbitration  and  the  provisions  of                      
sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of section 33 shall, as far as may be, apply to a reference made under this 
sub-section. 

35.  Right  to  appeal.—Every  employee  or  student  of  the  University  or  of  a  School  of  Studies  or 
Centre  or  Institution  maintained  by  the  University  or  admitted  to  its  privileges  shall,  notwithstanding 
anything  contained  in  this  Act,  have  a  right  to  appeal  within  such  time  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the 
Statutes, to the Governing Board against the decision of any officer  or authority of the University or of 
the Principal or the management of any School of Studies or Centre or an Institution, as the case may be, 
and thereupon the Governing Board may confirm, modify or reverse the decision appealed against. 

36. Provident and pension funds.—The University shall constitute for the benefit of its employees 
such provident or pension fund or provide such insurance schemes as it may deem fit in such manner and 
subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 

37. Disputes as to the constitution of authorities and bodies.—If any question arises as to whether 
any person has been duly  nominated or appointed as, or is entitled to be a member of any authority or 
other body of the University, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor whose decision thereon shall be 
final. 

38. Filling of casual vacancies.—All the casual vacancies among the members (other than ex officio 
members) of any authority or other body of the University shall be filled, as soon as may be convenient, 
by the person or body who appoints, nominates or co-opts the members whose place has become vacant 
and any person so appointed, elected or co-opted to a casual vacancy shall be a member of such authority 
or body for the residue of the term for which the person whose place he fills would have been a member. 

39. Proceedings of authorities or bodies not invalidated by vacancies.—No act or proceedings of 
any authority or any other body of the University shall be invalid merely by reason of the existence of any 
vacancy or vacancies among its members. 

40. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against 
any officer or employee of the University for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done 
in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, the Statutes or the Ordinances. 

41. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Gazette of India, make such provisions, 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appears to it to be necessary or expedient for removing 
the difficulty: 

Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of three years 

from the commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 

House of Parliament. 

42. Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations to be published in the Official Gazette and to be laid 
before Parliament.—(1) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be published 
in the Gazette of India and the website of the University. 

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(2) Every Statute, Ordinance or Regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after 
it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which 
may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the 
session  immediately  following  the  session  or  successive  sessions  aforesaid,  both  the  Houses  agree  in 
making any modification in the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation or both Houses agree that the Statute, 
Ordinance or Regulation should not be made, the Statute, Ordinance or Regulation shall thereafter have 
effect  only  in  such  modified  form  or  be  of  no  effect,  as  the  case  may  be;  so,  however,  that  any  such 
modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under 
that Statute, Ordinance or Regulation. 

43. Transitional provisions.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and the Statutes,— 

(a) the first Registrar and the first Finance Officer shall be appointed by the Governing Board and 

each of the said officers shall hold office for a term of three years; 

(b) the first Board of School of Studies shall consist of not more than eleven members, who shall 

be nominated by the Governing Board and they shall hold office for a term of three years; 

(c)  the  first  Academic  Council  shall  consist  of  not  more  than  nineteen  members,  who  shall  be 

nominated by the Governing Board and they shall hold office for a term of three years: 

Provided that if any vacancy occurs in the above offices or authorities, the same shall be filled by 
appointment or nomination, as the case may be, by the Governing Board, and the person so appointed 
or nominated shall hold office for so long as the officer or member in whose place he is appointed or 
nominated would have held office, if such vacancy had not occurred. 

44.  Repeal  of  University  of  Nalanda  Act.—(1)  The  University  of  Nalanda  Act,  2007                                  

(Bihar Act 18 of 2007) is hereby repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,— 

(a)  all  appointments  made,  orders  issued,  degrees  and  other  academic  distinctions  conferred, 
diplomas  and  certificates  awarded,  privileges  granted,  or  other  things  done  under  the  University  of 
Nalanda Act, 2007 (Bihar Act 18 of 2007), shall be deemed to have been respectively made, issued, 
conferred,  awarded,  granted  or  done  under  the  corresponding  provisions  of  this  Act  and,  except  as 
otherwise provided by or under this Act or the Statutes, continue in force unless and until they are 
superseded by any order made under this Act or the Statutes; and 

(b)  all  proceedings  of  Selection  Committees  for  the  appointment  or  promotion  of  teachers  that 
took place before the commencement of this Act and all actions of the Governing Body in respect of 
the  recommendations  of  such  Selection  Committees  where  no  orders  of  appointment  on  the  basis 
thereof were passed before the commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding that the procedure 
for selection has been modified by this Act, be deemed to have been valid but further proceeding in 
connection with such pending selections shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of this Act 
and be continued from the stage where they stood immediately before such commencement, except if 
the concerned authorities take, with the approval of the Visitor, a decision to the contrary. 

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